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contribution of

Han advocated the adoption of guwen, the free, simple prose of these early philosophers, a style unencumbered by the mannerisms and elaborate verselike regularity of the pianwen (“parallel prose”) style that was prevalent in Han’s time. His own essays (e.g., “On the Way,” “On Man,” and “On Spirits”) are among…

role in

Classical, or literary, prose (guwen, or wenyan) aims at the standards and styles set by ancient writers and their distinguished followers of subsequent ages, with the Confucian Classics and the early philosophers as supreme models. While the styles may vary with individual writers, the language is always far removed…

…ancient, more straightforward style (guwen) was reemphasized by such 11th-century writers as Ouyang Xiu and Su Dongpo. Both men held high rank in the civil service and were great painters as well as leading poets. Nevertheless, their contribution to prose writing in guwen style was as important as their…

The guwen, or “ancient style,” movement grew up after the rebellion of An Lushan, seeking to replace the euphuistic pianwen (“parallel prose”) then dominant. It was closely associated with the movement for a Confucian revival. The most prominent figures in it were Han Yu and Liu…